by Matthew Holloway | Feb 24, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
From a vocal young Generation Z activist supporting the candidacies of Kari Lake and Abe Hamadeh to driving election engagement in his own high school and becoming the youngest founder of a political action committee, Nico Delgado became an influential voice in conservative politics in Arizona, before he was even old enough to vote.
The prominence of Delgado and his ‘NicoPAC’ has extended to even commissioning one of the first polls in the 2026 Arizona gubernatorial race which, as reported by AZ Free News, favored Congressman Andy Biggs.
AZ Free News conducted a short interview with Delgado to discuss his career so far, along with his motivations and aspirations.
What was your motivation for becoming involved with conservative politics?
My motivation was to save the state I love. I was born and raised in Arizona, and I watched as homelessness, drugs, and crime increased, and I had enough of it. I knew I was young, but I still wanted to contribute in any way I could to help the right people represent our state.
What or whom would you describe as the single greatest influence on your political philosophy?
Losing my mother at 22 while I was only 15 years old had a huge impact on my philosophy. She passed away after an overdose just before the 2022 midterms. I gained a whole new perspective on the drug, mental health, and the national security problems our nation suffers from.
What shortcomings, if any, do you see in the present Republican power structure? How do you feel they can or should be corrected?
The Republican Party had many shortcomings before 2024. The party was too scared to speak out against what was really happening because they feared it would cause them to lose. Thankfully President Trump and MAGA showed that when you speak out against corruption, you win.
Delgado announced this month that not only is he busy with studies and running his political action committee, but he is now working for Congressman Abe Hamadeh as a Congressional Intern.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Matthew Holloway | Feb 23, 2025 | Education, News
By Matthew Holloway |
In a letter issued to all schools and school board members in Maricopa County, Maricopa County School Superintendent Shelli Boggs gave notice that they are legally obligated to conform to an Executive Order from President Donald Trump ending illegal Diversity Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies.
Within the letter, Boggs detailed a series of specific steps that all schools must now take to erase the illegal DEI-based hiring, training, and curricular practices that stand in violation of federal law. According to a press release from Maricopa County Schools, Boggs emphasized that while the Superintendent lacks jurisdiction to directly enforce compliance upon the schools, it strongly encourages that they do so in order to “restore education to its core mission.”
“DEI programs have been used as a tool to divide students, teachers, and parents rather than foster true unity and equal opportunity,” Superintendent Boggs said. “Schools should be places of learning, not ideological indoctrination. Education must return to its fundamental purpose—teaching students the skills they need to succeed—not promoting political agendas that undermine academic excellence.”
The release continued, “One of the most critical responsibilities of this office is the appointment of school board members, who share the authority to set policies within school districts. Under Boggs’ administration, appointees must be committed to meritocracy and academic excellence over politics. Schools should reward hard work and achievement, not lower standards in the name of equity. Education should empower students with knowledge, critical thinking, and opportunity—not divide them by race, gender, or political ideology.”
The Superintendent’s letter also informed school administrators that the county will be monitoring their compliance and has offered resources to assist with the transition away from DEI policies. Superintendent Boggs restated a “commitment to ensuring that all students receive a high-quality, merit-based education free from politically driven programs that promote division.”
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 23, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona legislators continue to be proactive in passing legislation that would protect children around the state.
Last week, the Arizona House Commerce Committee approved HB 2195, which would “prevent children from being exposed to inappropriate and mature advertisements on apps marketed for kids [by] hold[ing] digital platforms accountable by requiring monitoring systems to block harmful content and enforce[ing] penalties for violations.”
In a statement that accompanied the announcement of the bills’ progress, House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby, the sponsor of the legislation, said, “As a mother, I’ve seen firsthand how apps labeled as ‘child-friendly’ can still display advertisements that are entirely inappropriate for kids. In fact, some of these ads can be disturbing and should have no place in a child’s digital experience. This bill ensures that children can safely use digital spaces without being targeted with content that doesn’t belong in their world. I’m proud to sponsor legislation that will keep kids safe online and ensure that digital platforms uphold appropriate standards. HB 2195 protects kids, supports parents, and makes sure Arizona families come first.”
Representative Willoughby added, “Parents shouldn’t have to constantly shield their children from harmful content on apps designed for kids. Arizona is stepping up where tech giants have failed, and we’re making sure these companies face real consequences when they violate that trust.”
According to the press release shared by the Arizona House Republicans, key provisions of the legislative proposal include the following:
- “Upholds rights of Arizona parents to protect their children.
- “Prohibits inappropriate and mature advertisements on child-directed apps.
- “Requires platforms to implement monitoring systems.
- “Imposes penalties of up to $10,000 per violation.”
The bill passed out of the House Commerce Committee with a party-line 6-3 vote. All six Republicans voted in favor of the legislation, while all three Democrats were opposed.
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, a representative from the American Academy of Pediatrics – Arizona Chapter signed in to support the bill. A representative from the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona signed in to oppose the proposal.
HB 2195 will now face an up-or-down vote from the full Arizona House of Representatives in the near future.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Feb 22, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
Pima County Superior Court Judge Greg Sakall issued a ruling earlier this week striking down Pima County Ordinance 2024-2. The ordinance was passed by the County Board of Supervisors in March 2024 and levied a fine of $1,000 against legal gun owners who failed to report a lost or stolen firearm within two days. According to the Goldwater Institute, which led the legal fight, the board appeared to be fully aware of the ordinance’s illegality “when it brazenly passed the ordinance.”
Goldwater took up the case of Air Force veteran Chris King and the Pima County-based Arizona Citizens Defense League. The group argued before the court that unless authorized by the Arizona legislature, no county or municipality in the state is legally permitted to enact any rule or ordinance that is firearms-related and exceeds any regulations already passed by the state.
In his ruling, Judge Sakall agreed that the county board’s actions violated multiple provisions of state law, writing that there is “no genuine issue of material fact,” and that the ordinance was pre-emptively rendered illegal by A.R.S. § 13- 3108(B) and (D) which state:
B. “A political subdivision of this state shall not require the licensing or registration of firearms or ammunition or any firearm or ammunition components or related accessories or prohibit the ownership, purchase, sale or transfer of firearms or ammunition or any firearm or ammunition components, or related accessories.”
D. “A political subdivision of this state shall not enact any rule or ordinance that relates to firearms and is more prohibitive than or that has a penalty that is greater than any state law penalty. A political subdivision’s rule or ordinance that relates to firearms and that is inconsistent with or more restrictive than state law, whether enacted before or after July 29, 2010, is null and void.”
As noted by Goldwater when it issued a letter to the board on behalf of the Arizona Citizens Defense League, the ordinance was passed even after “a majority of the board made comments prior to passage of the ordinance recognizing that firearms regulations belong at the state level.”
The majority Democrat board also ignored the objections of the sole dissenting Supervisor, Republican Steve Christy, who warned during the board’s March 2024 meeting: “Are we opening up Pima County to numerous lawsuits with various entities including issues with the state legislature as this definitely has conflicts with it?”
Christy suggested that the move by the board’s Democrat majority was intended as a “a typical diversion and detraction,” from the county’s more pressing issues such as illegal immigration.
Democrat Supervisor Dr. Matt Heinz even implicitly observed that such lawmaking is the purview of the state government when he said what he referred to as “impactful meaningful reform that affects gun safety” would only happen “if there is a Democrat Governor, Senate, and House in the state of Arizona.”
King, an NRA-certified firearms instructor who had a firearm stolen when his home was burglarized while he was deployed on active-duty outside the state, praised the ruling saying, “I’m grateful the court recognized that Pima County officials are not above the law. Firearm owners like me shouldn’t have to pay exorbitant fines as punishment for being robbed.”
Goldwater Staff Attorney Parker Jackson added in a statement, “Today’s ruling is a significant victory for the rule of law, for gun owners statewide, and for the state’s ability to prevent rogue cities and counties from creating a confusing patchwork of local firearm restrictions.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 22, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
A bill to better look after the interests of Arizona’s children passed one chamber of the Arizona Legislature.
On Monday, the Arizona House of Representatives approved HB 2079 “to streamline the guardian process and prioritize minors’ best interests [by] strengthen[ing] guardianship procedures, remov[ing] bureaucratic delays, and prioritiz[ing] stable homes for children.”
HB 2079 received an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 56-3 (with one member not voting) to ensure its passage over to the state Senate.
In a statement that accompanied the announcement of the bill’s progress, State Representative Walt Blackman, the legislation’s sponsor, said, “This bill is about one thing and one thing only: putting kids first. We won’t let politics or outdated legal hurdles prevent children from getting the care and stability they need. WE are ensuring that guardianship decisions are made swiftly, fairly, and in the best interest of the child – not based on bureaucracy or red tape.”
According to the press release that was issued by the Arizona House Republicans, the bill would do the following:
- “Ensur[e] guardianship decisions are made based on the child’s best interest, not legal loopholes.
- “Allow 16- and 17-year-olds without parental support to have a clearer pathway to guardianship.
- “Protect minors from unnecessary delays by permitting courts to extend temporary guardianships when needed.
- “Ensur[e] due diligence in locating a child’s living parent while prioritizing stability over red tape.”
Blackman added, “For too long, kids in Arizona have fallen through the cracks because of slow-moving legal procedures and unnecessary court delays. We need to be proactive in protecting and supporting them, not making them wait for a system that doesn’t always work in their favor.”
If signed into law, the bill would “also ensure that minors 16 and older, who are not part of an open dependency case, have a greater say in their future. By recognizing their unique circumstances, the bill allows courts to grant guardianship when no willing or able parent is present, preventing unnecessary hardships for vulnerable youth.”
On the Arizona Legislature’s Request to Speak system, a representative from Homeless Youth Connection signed in to support the proposal.
Last month, the bill was approved by the House Government Committee with a unanimous 7-0 vote.
HB 2079 will now be considered by the Arizona Senate in the next stop in its legislative journey.
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Daniel Stefanski | Feb 22, 2025 | News
By Daniel Stefanski |
Arizona Republican legislators continue to take action to prepare their state for another dangerous fire season.
This week, the Arizona House Republicans announced the formation of the Fire Preparedness Ad Hoc Committee “to bring the Legislature to the people and assess issues related to Arizona’s readiness for catastrophic fires and insurance policy coverage across rural and urban Arizona.”
The chairman of the new committee is State Representative David Marshall, who was selected by Arizona House Speaker Steve Montenegro.
In a statement accompanying the announcement from the Arizona House Republicans, Representative Marshall said, “I’m honored that Speaker Montenegro has entrusted me to chair this committee because this issue couldn’t be more urgent for Arizona. The devastation caused by wildfires is staggering – homes lost, businesses wiped out, communities shattered. We’ve seen the warning signs in our state and the catastrophic disasters unfolding in places like California. It’s our job to make sure we are as prepared as possible to prevent and respond to these fires before they destroy previous lives and priceless property.”
Speaker Montenegro stated, “House Republicans have made public safety one of our highest priorities – whether that’s tackling violent crime, securing the border, or preparing for the next wildfire season. The people of Arizona deserve leadership that takes action, not excuses, and that’s exactly what we intend to deliver.”
Marshall added, “Firefighters do some of the toughest, most selfless work out there. They put themselves in harm’s way to save lives, homes, and entire communities. Yet, they’re often underpaid, overworked, and asked to do more with less. This committee will take a hard look at what’s needed to ensure they have the tools and support to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
The press release revealed that State Representatives John Gillette, Gail Griffin, Walter Blackman, Myron Tsosie, and Stephanie Stahl Hamilton would be added to the ad hoc committee. This panel will finalize a report and recommendations by the end of the year.
According to the information provided by House Republicans, the committee will look to do the following through the hearings this upcoming year:
- “Research and uncover any weaknesses in our current fire prevention system. Make recommendations on ways to address these areas.
- “Develop strategies to reduce nonrenewal of homeowners insurance policies across the state with an emphasis on high-risk areas.
- “Evaluate current building codes to make sure they allow for maximum fire protection without increasing costs to new home buyers.
- “Review and make recommendations on water supply needed for fire suppression.
- “Evaluate and make recommendations on current forestry practices regarding wildland fires.”
Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
